Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for October, 2012

Annual Heating System Service Inexpensive And Helps Save Energy

Tuesday, October 30th, 2012

Annual Heating System Service Inexpensive And Helps Save EnergyAnnual heating system service is the easiest, most affordable way to make sure your heating equipment is prepared for the winter. You’ll save money and stay comfortable no matter how cold the Fresno winter gets.

Continue Reading

Attic Fans — A Breath Of Fresh Air Does Wonders

Thursday, October 25th, 2012

Attic Fans -- A Breath Of Fresh Air Does WondersIn our central California climate, an attic fan is equally important in summer and winter — but for different reasons. In summer, heat accumulation in a poorly ventilated attic can send temperatures up to 150 degrees. All that heat baking the wooden structure of the attic and sub-roof can be damaging. Even worse, it migrates down into living spaces and makes your A/C work harder, raising utility costs. During winter, humid air infiltrating from rooms below condenses in the cold attic. This saturates attic insulation, destroying its heat-resistant properties. The wet environment also promotes mold and warps wooden structural components.

Continue Reading

When Your Family Has Differing Temperature Needs, Consider A Zoning System

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

When Your Family Has Differing Temperature Needs, Consider A Zoning SystemMany homes use one thermostat to regulate temperatures for the entire house, despite the fact that different parts of the house have different climate-control needs. For families that want greater control over the heating and cooling levels in their home, however, a zoning system makes a great option. Rather than struggling to maintain one temperature for the whole house, zoning divides the home into more than one section, each with its own separate temperature control. Each zone might be a single room or multiple rooms.

Continue Reading

Did You Know A Ceiling Fan Can Help You Stay Comfy This Winter?

Thursday, October 18th, 2012

ceiling fans fresno californiaA ceiling fan has been standard equipment for hot weather since the 1800s. By circulating air downward in a room, they make rooms feel about four degrees cooler on summer days. However, the great majority of ceiling fans have a switch that reverses rotation of the fan, making them useful in winter, too. Instead of circulating air downwards, clockwise rotation in winter draws air up from below, blending it into warm air that naturally collects at the ceiling. The warmed air is driven out to the walls and then pushed back down into the room. This distributes heat more evenly around the room and reduces heat loss through the ceiling. A ceiling fan uses about as much electricity as a 100-watt light bulb but can cut energy consumption in a room 10 percent by allowing the furnace to run less often or at a lower level of operation. Fans can also be placed on the ceiling above stairwells to prevent heat migration from lower floors to upper floors in winter.

Continue Reading

Your Furnace May Be In Trouble If …

Tuesday, October 16th, 2012

furnace trouble fresno californiaYou will rely on your furnace to keep you warm and comfortable this winter. That’s why it’s wise to schedule preventive maintenance each fall even if you can’t remember any problems with your furnace last winter. Maintenance gets your heating system in top shape for the heating season so you can avoid costly, untimely repairs after the weather turns cold.

Continue Reading

Is Your Home A Good Fit For A Solar Water Heater?

Thursday, October 11th, 2012

solar water heaters fresno californiaWater heaters use a lot of energy, and can account for up to 10 percent of your total energy bill. However, the sun provides heat for free, and we get plenty of it here in the San Joaquin Valley. Solar water heaters can keep water hot for much less than the price of conventional models. If you’re tired of paying large energy bills, then ask yourself if your home is a good fit for a solar water heater.

Continue Reading

Cooler Weather Ahead — Schedule A Furnace Tuneup

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012

schedule a furnace tuneup fresno californiaWhether you’re ready to admit it or not, cool weather is just around the corner. The end of summer means its time to schedule a fall furnace tuneup. Why is a tune-up necessary? Preventative maintenance for your HVAC system ensures equipment is functioning properly, and can detect problems before they become disasters.

Continue Reading

If You Notice These Signs, You Have A Ductwork Problem

Thursday, October 4th, 2012

If You Notice These Signs, You Have A Ductwork ProblemA ductwork problem in your home may substantially increase your energy bills, increase the workload on your heating and cooling systems, and cause significant discomfort for you and your family.

Continue Reading

Discover The Benefits Of Solar Energy

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012

Discover The Benefits Of Solar EnergySolar electric systems are a good fit for our part of California because of our ample sunshine. In fact, about 12 percent of the state’s electrical power is tapped from renewable energy sources, including solar power. If you’re thinking of making the switch or supplementing your power use with natural energy sources, consider investing in solar-powered systems. Here’s a look at some of the most important benefits of solar energy:

Continue Reading